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Luther, a Man for His Time
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working on the fears, if not on the conscience, of an arrogant and
babbling despot, who would otherwise overpower by his imperious
language.
At the next interview, Luther presented a clear, concise, and
forcible exposition of his views, supported by Scripture. This paper,
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after reading aloud, he handed to the cardinal, who cast it contemp-
tuously aside, declaring it to be a mass of idle words and irrelevant
quotations. Luther now met the haughty prelate on his own ground—
the traditions and teaching of the church—and utterly overthrew his
assumptions.
The prelate lost all self-control and in a rage cried out, “Retract!
or I will send you to Rome.” And he finally declared, in a haughty
and angry tone, “Retract, or return no more.
The Reformer promptly withdrew with his friends, thus declaring
plainly that no retraction was to be expected from him. This was not
what the cardinal had purposed. Now, left alone with his supporters,
he looked from one to another in chagrin at the unexpected failure
of his schemes.
The large assembly present had opportunity to compare the two
men and to judge for themselves the spirit manifested by them, as
well as of the strength and truthfulness of their positions. The Re-
former, simple, humble, firm, having truth on his side; the pope’s
representative, self-important, haughty, unreasonable, without a sin-
gle argument from the Scriptures, yet vehemently crying, “Retract,
or be sent to Rome.”
Escape From Augsburg
Luther’s friends urged that as it was useless for him to stay, he
should return to Wittenberg without delay, and that utmost caution
be observed. He accordingly left Augsburg before daybreak on
horseback, accompanied only by a guide furnished by the magis-
trate. He secretly made his way through the dark streets of the city.
Enemies, vigilant and cruel, were plotting his destruction. Those
were moments of anxiety and earnest prayer. He reached a small
gate in the wall of the city. It was opened for him, and with his guide
18
Martyn, The Life and Times of Luther, pp. 271, 272.
19
D’Aubigne, London ed., bk. 4, ch. 8.